TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office will teach 10 area gun owners the basics of handgun safety this month, a spokesman said Tuesday afternoon.

Lt. Andy Norris said deputies will teach safety rules, the basics of loading and unloading a handgun and firearm maintenance to the 10 participants in addition to monitoring them during live-fire shooting drills.

This is the department's inaugural effort to teach gun safety in a county where nearly 19,000 people have permits to carry concealed pistols on their person.

Norris called the initiative a pilot program and said more courses will be offered in the future depending on the demand shown this month.

Applicants must have a legally owned handgun in good working order, 50 rounds of ammunition for the shooting drills, a wearable holster, eye protection, ear protection and weather-appropriate clothing.

Norris said those interested in participating should mail their name, address and a copy of their driver's license to the Tuscaloosa Sheriff's Office at 714 ½ Greensboro Avenue and mark their envelope for the attention of Sgt. Jeff Holloway.

The 10 gun owners accepted for the course will meet at TCSO's patrol division at 7609 Robert Cardinal Airport Road on Sept. 27 at 8 a.m. Lunch will be provided, and after the class concludes, participants will be bused to the sheriff's shooting range for live drills.